Does this happen to you? You ask your kids what they want for Christmas...they give you a nice little list. You go out and find those special things that they wanted...feeling good! Then, every time you walk into a store or see a commercial, there is another addition to "the list". (Where did they come up with the idea that it is a list you can keep adding to?).
Yesterday, I proclaimed "the list" is CLOSED! :) (lol...meanie!!) I asked them to begin thinking of what they wanted to GIVE from now on. And that is why I am writing this today...I want to reclaim Christmas for our family. It has turned into a crazy, line-waiting, stress-filled, overspending, me-first, Christ-who? holiday.
Here are some of the things we will be doing this year, to add more meaning and thoughtfulness to our Christmas:
ADVENT COUNTDOWN
1. Beginning today, we will begin our Advent Bags (this is so cute and fun!) - check out my post for the tutorial. Advent Calendar Post (from last year)
As I was skimming facebook last night, one of my friends posted that she is adding "meaningful activities" to her advent activities, such as baking cookies for the local firestation and bringing a bag of dog food to the local pet shelter. Thank you, Julie...I am totally going to put these activities into our bags!
BUCKET LIST
A few other activities that I will add to our bags are:
- Drive around with the windows open, with hot cocoa, looking at Christmas lights. :)
- Watch "The Grinch who Stole Christmas" & "Charlie Brown's Christmas"...two timeless movies!
- Maybe a few coupons for extra iPad time?? :)
NATIVITY SCENE
Though we have always read the Christmas story on Christmas eve (yes, with the fireplace lit and drinking eggnog!!) We have never had a nativity scene. This year we are adding an interactive nativity scene to our Christmas decorations. And it is going to get center stage! It is a nativity scene, where you open one box each day. And, every day there is a reading that goes along with the character you opened to place in the nativity scene. Great for building suspense, while digging in a little deeper to the Christmas story! If you would like to purchase one for your kids, click on the link below.
What God Wants for Christmas Nativity Scene Resource Pack
WHY DO WE CALL IT CHRISTMAS?
This year, our church is doing this series in our Kid's Church. It is amazingly packed with great information about Christmas, Hanukkah and why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. It is helping them understand the meaning of Christmas...with humor, puppets and music...you don't realize you are taking in some deep spiritual truths along the way! You can purchase the resources for your church, or just the video for your family. Play one of the videos on the site and see how fast your kids run to see what is playing on your computer! The video is on sale for only $12.99.
What's In the Bible Store
I hope you enjoy all these great resources to add meaning back into your Christmas this year!
Kristen
Yesterday, I proclaimed "the list" is CLOSED! :) (lol...meanie!!) I asked them to begin thinking of what they wanted to GIVE from now on. And that is why I am writing this today...I want to reclaim Christmas for our family. It has turned into a crazy, line-waiting, stress-filled, overspending, me-first, Christ-who? holiday.
Here are some of the things we will be doing this year, to add more meaning and thoughtfulness to our Christmas:
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| Advent bags on our railing |
1. Beginning today, we will begin our Advent Bags (this is so cute and fun!) - check out my post for the tutorial. Advent Calendar Post (from last year)
As I was skimming facebook last night, one of my friends posted that she is adding "meaningful activities" to her advent activities, such as baking cookies for the local firestation and bringing a bag of dog food to the local pet shelter. Thank you, Julie...I am totally going to put these activities into our bags!
BUCKET LIST
A few other activities that I will add to our bags are:
- Drive around with the windows open, with hot cocoa, looking at Christmas lights. :)
- Watch "The Grinch who Stole Christmas" & "Charlie Brown's Christmas"...two timeless movies!
- Maybe a few coupons for extra iPad time?? :)
Though we have always read the Christmas story on Christmas eve (yes, with the fireplace lit and drinking eggnog!!) We have never had a nativity scene. This year we are adding an interactive nativity scene to our Christmas decorations. And it is going to get center stage! It is a nativity scene, where you open one box each day. And, every day there is a reading that goes along with the character you opened to place in the nativity scene. Great for building suspense, while digging in a little deeper to the Christmas story! If you would like to purchase one for your kids, click on the link below.
What God Wants for Christmas Nativity Scene Resource Pack
WHY DO WE CALL IT CHRISTMAS?
This year, our church is doing this series in our Kid's Church. It is amazingly packed with great information about Christmas, Hanukkah and why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. It is helping them understand the meaning of Christmas...with humor, puppets and music...you don't realize you are taking in some deep spiritual truths along the way! You can purchase the resources for your church, or just the video for your family. Play one of the videos on the site and see how fast your kids run to see what is playing on your computer! The video is on sale for only $12.99.
What's In the Bible Store
I hope you enjoy all these great resources to add meaning back into your Christmas this year!
Kristen
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